Pies try to make a statement

By Karen Lyon BrisbaneApril 19 2003

In a preview of his team's ultimate fate, Collingwood's Chris Tarrant hits the deck at the Gabba last night.
Picture: Heath Missen

The banner was supposed to be Collingwood's first shot across the bow. The hurt from last year's grand final defeat has clearly not left the Magpies and they travelled to Brisbane with the intention of rattling the Lions on and off the field.

It all started well, but as the night continued Collingwood's best-laid plans were headed off in all directions.

In the end, the banner didn't fly, the dam couldn't hold the Lions back all night and despite one almighty shove, the Magpies didn't push Brisbane off its throne, yet.

The day's hostilities had actually began before any of the 35,822 fans arrived at the Gabba on Thursday night for the grand final rematch.

Collingwood president Eddie McGuire had flagged his intentions early by announcing the club banner would take a swipe at both the AFL and their on field rivals. The league turned out to be a tougher opponent than McGuire realised.");document.write("

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The intended slogan - "The AFL Lions/with salaries to spare/Fix'em up Pies/Make (them) look like Bears" - was deemed too inflammatory, and threatened with a $20,000 fine by the league, the Collingwood cheer squad - despite protests from McGuire that it impinged on freedom of speech - was forced to remove the words from the banner. McGuire was furious.

The Magpies are leading the charge off the field to curb salary cap concessions for the northern states; on the field they are leading the campaign to stop three consecutive premierships.

Like McGuire, the Collingwood players came out firing on all cylinders. It was a match played at a frenetic rate from the opening bounce. The pressure and intensity from Collingwood in the first half forced the Lions to panic.

Chris Tarrant has re-emerged as a star this season and in tandem with Anthony Rocca they tore the Brisbane defence apart, in the opening half. The Magpies were prepared to be patient in order to find space for their forwards, other forwards pushed up the field to lend a hand and create space for Tarrant, who was running Justin Leppitsch off his feet, and Rocca was standing tall against Mal Michael.

Jason Cloke was the man who missed out on last year's grand final and he had a point to prove, swamping Jonathan Brown in the opening half. James Clement was helping clear out of the back line and Collingwood captain Nathan Buckley - just as he did in the grand final - led from the front.

Grand finals cause grand rivalries, and the Lions have many aces up their sleeves. They showed off another last night, Jared Brennan, drafted third in the national draft. He kicked an extraordinary goal from the boundary in the second quarter before heading back into defence in the second half to slow down Tarrant. Brown picked up his game and Tim Notting was the surprise forward success for Brisbane kicking three goals.

Just when teams seem to have them, the Lions find a hole in the opposition's plans. With so many versatile players, they throw things around and all the planning goes out the window.

The challenges are coming thick and fast for the Lions. After two years at the top of the heap, they are being hunted ferociously by all. They escaped against the Kangaroos with a draw; last night, they stood tall when Collingwood threw everything at them, including the banner.